Daily Readings - Mon Apr 15 2024
Acts
8Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen,10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God."12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.13They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us."15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
John
22The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone.23Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.24Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.25When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, perseverance, and our ultimate purpose as followers of Christ. The first reading from Acts describes Stephen, a man filled with grace and courage, who performs miracles and proclaims the truth of God. Despite his good works, he faces fierce opposition from those who cannot accept his message. They falsely accuse him of blasphemy and bring him before the council, setting the stage for his eventual martyrdom. Stephen’s story reminds us that living a life of faith often comes with challenges and even persecution, but it also shows the transformative power of grace in the face of adversity.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses a crowd that has followed him after he fed them with the miraculous loaves and fish. He reveals that their pursuit of him is driven by their desire for physical satisfaction rather than a deeper spiritual hunger. Jesus calls them to look beyond the temporary comforts of this world and to seek instead the eternal life that only he can offer. He emphasizes that true faith is not about seeking signs or material benefits but about trusting in God’s plan and believing in the One he has sent. This teaching challenges us to examine our own motivations and to focus on cultivating a relationship with God that transcends the fleeting concerns of this world.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Stephen’s example encourages us to remain steadfast in our commitment to Christ, even when we face opposition or misunderstanding. Jesus’ words remind us to prioritize spiritual nourishment over worldly comforts and to trust in God’s providence. As we navigate the challenges of our own lives, may we draw strength from Stephen’s courage and clarity from Jesus’ teachings. Let us strive to live with integrity, to seek God above all else, and to trust in his plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.